Craft Beer For Our Friends

My friends aren’t as into craft beer as I am. I can’t be the only one experiencing this, right? I go to beer releases, I trade for beers from all over the country but my friends like the “good, cheap stuff.” What gives?

Because of this, I’m trying to figure out what the “good, cheap stuff” is in the world of craft beer. Lately I’ve been trying beers that are on the lighter side but still have some flavor to it.

The beers I’ve been trying are ones that are sold in larger packages, 12+ cans/bottles per case, 12oz containers (way easier to drink than 16s) and finally, they have to be readily available on shelves. Liquor or grocery store. Here’s what I’ve narrowed down to:

Yuengling Golden Pilsner
Sun King Sunlight Cream Ale
I might get some flack for this, Founders Solid Gold.
Is Founders craft? No, I realize the Brewers Associations requirements and I’ll acknowledge them but in my opinion the discrepancy is small enough for me. Also, this prevents me from two light lagers to choose from.

The Breakdown:

The Traditional Lager is readily available in the Hoosier state finally, why not see what else they have? My friends are also aware of them so I don’t have to explain who they are, which comes up frequently if you’ve ever had to explain craft beer. The beer is a pilsner so it has the characteristics that I think my friends would enjoy, coming from the crap they usually imbibe. For me, the beer is light and crisp and has some flavor to it. I don’t feel like I’m drinking to drink. I can enjoy it.

Sun King really out did themselves with this beer. It’s everywhere here in Indiana and it is PACKED with flavor. I thoroughly enjoy it and I think my friends will too since there’s zero bitterness and ultra smooth. My friends all think craft is bitter (what they think ‘hoppy’ is) so this is a big deal. For me, the beer is still an experience. I can enjoy them over and over (low ABV) and still get something from it.

I didn’t choose the All Day IPA. Not because that’s the obvious choice BUT I would’ve immediately had to explain to my friends about an IPA then they would’ve said it’s too hoppy and they can’t stand bitterness. I can guarantee it. So this new offering from Founders might be bridging the gap for them. This beer does drink a lot like Yuengling Light Lager – as it should since they’re the same style of beer. It’s also a little heavier than I would like it to be for a casual drink. Great flavor, usual lager taste with malt and subtle hop taste standing out. All together, a heavy but tasty beer.

Finally

After enjoying the beers myself, I feel I have a limited number of attempts at saying “try this” in front of my non-craft friends before they just start dismissing the attempts and instead bring their own…. “beer.” With that being said, I would say nearly everyone can enjoy a cream ale. Even non-beer fans can probably enjoy this. So I’ll rank Sun King’s Sunlight Cream Ale is first for me. A close second is definitely the Yuengling Golden Pilsner. If you’re not in Indiana or where Sun King is sold then I recommend it. It’s got the characteristics of the beer your friends drink but with a taste you can enjoy and dissect. Finally, Solid Gold is my last pick. It’s not bad by any means. I’ll definitely drink it if I have time for a single beer here and there and if my friends like something a little thicker then I’ll definitely toss them a can of it.

What do you offer to your friends? Have you converted them into a craft fan yet? Let me know in the comments!

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